Opinion Needed 75 HP Chrysler Outboard (1976)

MathMan · 06-30-2009, 09:32 PM

I took my Crestliner out for the first time Saturday and it ran great. Took it out again Sunday evening and it ran fine. After out on the water for awhile I went to restart it and got nothing. This was a problem I had occasionally last year (my first year with this boat). I tried jumping the starter solenoid and the engine turned over but didn't start. I fished for awhile longer with the trolling motor and went home and recharged the battery to the outboard. Went out again last night and it started fine and ran fine... until it was time to go in. Turned the key and nothing. As the sun was setting and I was panicking I swapped the trolling motor battery with the starting battery. Same results. Swapped batteries back. Turned the key to on and attempted jumping the solenoid again. After a couple of tries I breathed a huge sigh of relief as the outboard took off. We made it back to the ramp before dark. The starter solenoid was new last fall as I thought it was the problem last year. I stopped at a marine shop on the way home today thinking I would just buy a new ignition. The owner asked what the problem was and I explained to him what was going on. His first thought was the solenoid until I told him it was new. He told me he'd sell me an ignition but he didn't think that was the problem. He said they very very rarely go bad. He didn't really have any suggestion though. I'm sure he would have been glad to have my business though. Anyone have any ideas? I guess now I'm thinking wiring. Any help would be appreciated.

gn83tm · 07-01-2009, 06:23 AM

MM, does it always turn over and just not fire? If it's turning over but not firing it's not a solenoid problem. A good place to get some help on this would be the Chrysler/Force board on the iboats forum. There's some guys on there that live and breath the old Chryslers. Good luck!

**Mako** · 07-01-2009, 07:11 AM

Do you have a plastic gas tank by chance?

One problem I ran into once is that I had forgotten to open up the vent in my plastic gas tank. As I was out fishing, the gas tank ballooned up as it got hot, thus, flooding the motor. I thought it was the battery too until I realized my tilt/trim still worked every time.

MathMan · 07-01-2009, 10:29 PM

When it doesn't work nothing happens. Silence.

MathMan · 07-01-2009, 10:30 PM

Metal tank, vent open.

gn83tm · 07-02-2009, 06:04 AM

I'd use a test light to check for power coming to the solenoid while someone turns the key. If you're getting power, you have a starter or solenoid problem. If not, you'll have to go back to the switch to see if it's sending power through. There could also be a problem with the wiring or a loose/corroded connection somewhere.

ohlo65 · 07-05-2009, 01:18 PM

I have a 1975 75hp chrysler and I can tell you this is a very simple circuit. The power to turn on the starter comes off the ignition, through the neutral safety switch and goes to the solenoid. It sounds like the switch is out of rig or failing. If you turn the key and dont even hear the solenoid click than its most likely the safety switch. Check to make sure the safety switch is making contact the shift arm, and rig a needed. Keep a test light and a small jumper wire on the boat. When it fails to start again use the light to see where the power is stopping. If you have power to the solenoid and no starting it may be a bad ground in the system. Use the jumper wire to activate the solenoid if it fails to start again. If you would like a copy of the service manual in pdf from just let me know. Hope this helps. -John

markh28 · 07-14-2009, 09:28 AM

Had a similar problem with a different boat/motor combination. But I took a wire brush wheel on my electric drill and polished off every electrical connection on the battery until I could practically see my own ugly reflection on them. Problem disappeared. They didnt even really look that bad when I started. it doesnt take much I guess.

MURF · 07-14-2009, 04:53 PM

Had similar problem, replaced batteries, no go. Simple solution = tighten the connections to the battery. Thought I had them tight, but a little corrosion/oxidation does not make tight connections.

06-30-2009, 09:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
MathMan MathMan has no status. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Benkelman, Nebraska Posts: 69 Thanks: 30 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	75 HP Chrysler Outboard (1976) I took my Crestliner out for the first time Saturday and it ran great. Took it out again Sunday evening and it ran fine. After out on the water for awhile I went to restart it and got nothing. This was a problem I had occasionally last year (my first year with this boat). I tried jumping the starter solenoid and the engine turned over but didn't start. I fished for awhile longer with the trolling motor and went home and recharged the battery to the outboard. Went out again last night and it started fine and ran fine... until it was time to go in. Turned the key and nothing. As the sun was setting and I was panicking I swapped the trolling motor battery with the starting battery. Same results. Swapped batteries back. Turned the key to on and attempted jumping the solenoid again. After a couple of tries I breathed a huge sigh of relief as the outboard took off. We made it back to the ramp before dark. The starter solenoid was new last fall as I thought it was the problem last year. I stopped at a marine shop on the way home today thinking I would just buy a new ignition. The owner asked what the problem was and I explained to him what was going on. His first thought was the solenoid until I told him it was new. He told me he'd sell me an ignition but he didn't think that was the problem. He said they very very rarely go bad. He didn't really have any suggestion though. I'm sure he would have been glad to have my business though. Anyone have any ideas? I guess now I'm thinking wiring. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ In Christ alone I place my trust, And find my glory In the power of the cross. In every victory, Let it be said of me, My source of strength, My source of hope, Is Christ alone.

07-01-2009, 06:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
gn83tm gn83tm is thankful for open water. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western IA Posts: 294 Thanks: 19 Thanked 80 Times in 65 Posts	MM, does it always turn over and just not fire? If it's turning over but not firing it's not a solenoid problem. A good place to get some help on this would be the Chrysler/Force board on the iboats forum. There's some guys on there that live and breath the old Chryslers. Good luck! __________________ "Oh! You can't sleep either? Let's go fishing!" (Words from my dad at 4:30 AM when we were kids on vacation - after he shook us all awake! I wish he was still here to do that.)

07-01-2009, 07:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mako Mako is missing an old bald friend. Director Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A bit further south... Posts: 6,272 Thanks: 67 Thanked 450 Times in 303 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Do you have a plastic gas tank by chance? One problem I ran into once is that I had forgotten to open up the vent in my plastic gas tank. As I was out fishing, the gas tank ballooned up as it got hot, thus, flooding the motor. I thought it was the battery too until I realized my tilt/trim still worked every time. __________________ Be rude to a bully and he'll beat you up. Be rude to a geek and your computer will never forgive you.

07-01-2009, 10:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
MathMan MathMan has no status. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Benkelman, Nebraska Posts: 69 Thanks: 30 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	When it doesn't work nothing happens. Silence. __________________ In Christ alone I place my trust, And find my glory In the power of the cross. In every victory, Let it be said of me, My source of strength, My source of hope, Is Christ alone.

07-01-2009, 10:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
MathMan MathMan has no status. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Benkelman, Nebraska Posts: 69 Thanks: 30 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Metal tank, vent open. __________________ In Christ alone I place my trust, And find my glory In the power of the cross. In every victory, Let it be said of me, My source of strength, My source of hope, Is Christ alone.

07-02-2009, 06:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
gn83tm gn83tm is thankful for open water. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western IA Posts: 294 Thanks: 19 Thanked 80 Times in 65 Posts	I'd use a test light to check for power coming to the solenoid while someone turns the key. If you're getting power, you have a starter or solenoid problem. If not, you'll have to go back to the switch to see if it's sending power through. There could also be a problem with the wiring or a loose/corroded connection somewhere. __________________ "Oh! You can't sleep either? Let's go fishing!" (Words from my dad at 4:30 AM when we were kids on vacation - after he shook us all awake! I wish he was still here to do that.)

07-05-2009, 01:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
ohlo65 ohlo65 has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have a 1975 75hp chrysler and I can tell you this is a very simple circuit. The power to turn on the starter comes off the ignition, through the neutral safety switch and goes to the solenoid. It sounds like the switch is out of rig or failing. If you turn the key and dont even hear the solenoid click than its most likely the safety switch. Check to make sure the safety switch is making contact the shift arm, and rig a needed. Keep a test light and a small jumper wire on the boat. When it fails to start again use the light to see where the power is stopping. If you have power to the solenoid and no starting it may be a bad ground in the system. Use the jumper wire to activate the solenoid if it fails to start again. If you would like a copy of the service manual in pdf from just let me know. Hope this helps. -John

07-14-2009, 09:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
markh28 markh28 has no status. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clay Center Posts: 130 Thanks: 89 Thanked 46 Times in 33 Posts	Had a similar problem with a different boat/motor combination. But I took a wire brush wheel on my electric drill and polished off every electrical connection on the battery until I could practically see my own ugly reflection on them. Problem disappeared. They didnt even really look that bad when I started. it doesnt take much I guess. __________________ "I'll sit in my chair (or my boat),...enjoy the scenery, and probably throw up my arms and thank GOD I'm still alive and healthy enough to go fishing. To me there's more to fishing than just the catching." -- NEFGA member 'Whisker'

07-14-2009, 04:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
MURF MURF is Lock and Load Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Papillion Posts: 290 Thanks: 5 Thanked 38 Times in 28 Posts	Had similar problem, replaced batteries, no go. Simple solution = tighten the connections to the battery. Thought I had them tight, but a little corrosion/oxidation does not make tight connections. __________________ Four blessings upon you... Older whiskey Younger women Faster horses More money

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